JS Nagara Mogami-Class Frigate Overview

The JS Nagara Mogami-Class Frigate is a remarkable ship with a rich history. It was designed and built by the Japanese Navy in the 1930s.

The Mogami-Class Frigate was a class of light cruisers that served as the backbone of the Japanese Navy during World War II. These ships played a crucial role in the war, participating in numerous battles and engagements.

One of the key features of the Mogami-Class Frigate was its impressive speed, reaching up to 37 knots. This allowed the ships to quickly respond to changing situations on the battlefield.

The JS Nagara Mogami-Class Frigate was equipped with a variety of armaments, including 6 x 10cm guns, 2 x 61cm torpedo tubes, and 18 x 25mm anti-aircraft guns.

Nagara was ordered by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as part of the JMSDF's 2022 Mid-Term Defense Program.

She was laid down at MHI's Nagasaki Shipyard on 6 July 2023, marking the beginning of her construction process.

Nagara was christened and launched on 19 December 2024, a significant milestone in her development.

After being launched, she will undergo a period of being fitted out and sea trials before her commissioning in March 2026.

The tenth Mogami-class frigate, JS Nagara, has been launched by Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). The ship is named after the Nagara River on the main island of Honshu.

The Mogami-class frigates are a series of 12 ships for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). JS Nagara is the tenth in the series. The ships are being built at MHI's Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Nagasaki Prefecture.

The upgraded Mogami-class design, which will feature an increase in the number of Mk.41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells from 16 to 32, is set to be launched in 2027. This version will also include a Multi-Function Sonar (MFS) system and improved Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities.

The new design is one of three ships shortlisted for the Commonwealth's Sea 3000 program, which seeks to acquire twelve "off the shelf" General Purpose frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. MHI is competing with Germany's TKMS, which is offering a version of its MEKO 200 design.

Here are some key features of the Mogami-class frigates:

Japan has launched its 10th Mogami-class frigate, JS Nagara, which is named after the Nagara River on the main island of Honshu.

The JS Nagara is the tenth in a series of twelve Mogami-class ships for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF).

The ship's launch marks a significant milestone in the production of the Mogami-class frigates, with the completion of the 12 ships expected to be followed by the production of an upgraded version.

Rear Admiral Touri Sasaki, Deputy Director General of Naval Systems, stated that both the original and upgraded designs are fully interoperable with the US Navy, a key requirement for the JMSDF.

The upgraded design features an increase in the number of Mk.41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells from 16 to 32, as well as the inclusion of a Multi-Function Sonar (MFS) system.

This upgraded design is also expected to have improved Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities.

The upgraded Mogami design has been shortlisted for the Commonwealth's Sea 3000 program, which aims to acquire twelve "off the shelf" General Purpose frigates for the Royal Australian Navy.

MHI is competing with Germany's TKMS, which is offering a version of its MEKO 200 design, as well as an 'Australianised' variant of the vessel.

The Japanese offer for Sea 3000 enjoys the full support of the Japanese MoD, ATLA, and MHI, and is seen as an opportunity to strengthen strategic relationships between Japan and Australia.

The first ship for Australia will be the 15th vessel in the series and the third upgraded Mogami ship if MHI is selected for the Sea 3000 program.